George McDonald told his side of the story on Tuesday night. Boy did he...
Update 3: Aaaaand we've already got an apology...
"I understand that I shouldn't have said that I wouldn't have come (to Syracuse)," McDonald said. "(Head coach Scott) Shafer gave me a great opportunity and it didn't work out. I was frustrated and let my emotions get the best of me when I said that."
Update 2: I'm not saying McDonald put the bus in reverse and ran it over his players, but...
"If you analyze the tape, you can see some of the stuff isn't scheme, it's execution." - McDonald, putting the bus in reverse...
— NunesMagician.com (@NunesMagician) October 8, 2014
Okay, I guess I am...
Update 1: Here's the video. Doesn't sound any better than it looked.
Original: The one person we hadn't heard from since George McDonald was demoted as Syracuse Orange football offensive coordinator was George McDonald.
And, uh, we sure heard from him Tuesday night...
"If I would've known I was only going to get 18 games to be offensive coordinator, I would've stayed at the University of Arkansas," McDonald said on Tuesday night. "I would've never came here."
George McDonald said he was "blindsided" by demotion. Didn't see it coming. Would've stayed at Arkansas if he knew this would happen.
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 7, 2014
McDonald: "Me and Tim are awesome. This has nothing to do with Tim Lester. I think the world of him."
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
McDonald: "Nothing is ever guaranteed, but I thought I was going to be given the opportunity to develop an offense."
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
McDonald thought if you look at the "totality" of the offense, it's better this year than last.
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
McDonald on how long it takes to develop an offense: "Probably more than five games into the season."
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
McDonald said Shafer told him it was solely his decision. McDonald thinks Shafer has handled pressure well, just didn't agree w/ demotion.
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
McDonald said Ben Lewis in paticular came to him in support: "We both had tragic weekends," McDonald said. Neither slept much.
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
McDonald on relationship with Shafer moving forward: "It is what it is."
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
McDonald said a bunch of coaches reached out to him, reaffirming his coaching ability. Named one: UMD OC Mike Locksley.
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
McDonald on chance of leaving mid-season: "I would try not to." Said it would take "something crazy for me to leave."
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
George McDonald: "It’s like breaking up with your girlfriend after a long time."
— Phil D'Abbraccio (@PhilDAbb) October 8, 2014
McDonald on SU's recruiting implications: "I never lie to recruits. ... I tell them, when you choose a school, don’t choose it for a coach."
— Phil D'Abbraccio (@PhilDAbb) October 8, 2014
McDonald also added that the SU coaches haven't discussed his role in recruiting since the change.
— Phil D'Abbraccio (@PhilDAbb) October 8, 2014
McDonald said it's WRs keeping him here. "None of them have ever turned their back on me."
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
McDonald on how the demotion was handled: "Obviously I might have done something a little bit different."
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) October 8, 2014
McDonald said he cried after he was demoted. He called his mom and read the bible.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) October 7, 2014
George McDonald said he received texts from around the league affirming that he's "not as bad as Syracuse thinks I am."
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) October 7, 2014
McDonald: "It was just like 'You're demoted, go coach the receivers.'"
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) October 7, 2014
McDonald: "I think it’s important for people to know that I’m not a quitter. People know that I’m dedicated to Syracuse University."
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) October 8, 2014
At this point, Coach Q had a brief comment...
There is peace in silence
— Quentin Hillsman (@CoachQatSU) October 8, 2014
